Tagging the Base With Glove???

[ronreid]

What is the rule regarding tagging the base on a force play? If the player tags the base with his glove while holding the ball in his other hand, is the runner out? Reading the definitions of a tag in Rule 2.00 seems to indicate the runner is out. Any umpires out there wish to chime in?

[Tim C]

You clearly say "force play" so what would make your play ANY different than a player stepping on the base.

The obvious answer is on a "force" he would be out . . .

Now if you want to bring up a GREAT argument ask the following:

F3 has REAL LONG hair. with the ball firmly secured in his hand or glove he falls down JUST SHORT of the base. However his LONG hair clearly falls on to the base FAR before the batter runner arrives.

Safe? Out? You make the call.

[Roger Greene]

Tee,
I recall a softball play (in an old Fed casebook I think) in which the player was holding the ball on the ground and her "ponytail" touched the base. Ruling was an out.

Might be a hard sale.

Roger Greene

[jicecone]

Sounds like a real hairy situation you guys got there.

[ronreid]

That's what I thought. Thanks. The umpire ruled the runner safe on the play. I saw this play on "game of the Week" 20 years ago and just wondered if perhaps the rule had changed. I like the softball ruling!